Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the mandate more generally, the international community has put pressure on Israel in respect of the attacks and the firing on UN outposts. That is having some impact, and that needs to have impact, although, again, the Deputy made some important and valid points. What is happening in northern Gaza is quite shocking and reprehensible in respect of the ordering of 400,000 people to leave their homes, and I will call that out myself. It is collective punishment of a people. It is not justified, and it is completely disproportionate and discriminate. This is language we use in the context of international humanitarian law. In respect of the peacekeepers, however, we are very clear that the IDF has contacts with UNIFIL. It knows where UNIFIL is and has all the co-ordinates. There is no excuse. There is no basis for any attacks or firing on UN positions. Likewise, Hezbollah is saying it is there to observe and will not put peacekeepers in harm's way. That would not have been the case maybe one year ago.

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